I got NEW shoes, I got NEW shoes, I got new shoes, shoes, shoes....

Can't you just hear that cute little guy on Little Rascals singing with me???

"I got new shoes...."

I GOT NEW SHOES!!!! Let's just say that Hawk H and I are good enough friends (owner of the running store where I've bought my shoes for the last 12 years...) that HE KNOWS that sometimes I am a skinnier runner and sometimes I am a chunkier runner. Today...he just smiled and said "show me your shoes"...so I did, then he smiled again and said, "You've been putting in the miles...what have you been eating?"

EVEN my running partner BECKY has been lying to me...she says she can't tell a difference since these lovely "extra's" have taken up residence...and OF COURSE I have been LYING TO MYSELF!!! So...really truly...upon waking tomorrow...back to the old me that got lost somewhere around Thanksgiving....I have to log out now...I only have 3 hours left to eat everything in the pantry before bed.

Just so you know... when you get your 4 or 5 year old a new pair of shoes and they can suddenly run faster...IT'S TRUE...THEY REALLY CAN!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!! 46 will be the best year yet!!!

It was hard to get a good shot of how great our street looked this morning. It was lined with American Flags waiting for Damon Hulsey (Father of 6, neighbor across the street) to get back from his last tour of duty in Iraq...he's been gone 13 months this time. This is such an amazing man with an incredible family...we feel honored to know them.

As a joke several people on our street called to ask how I liked their putting up the flags in honor of my birthday!!! THe crazy thing is that there are THREE of us on this street all with our birthday today!!!!

I had a great day...LOTS Of eating...and eating...and a few hours in a few bookstores....THANK YOU Merilee and Val for my birthday cake and ice cream and DINNER.... and THANK YOU to all of you who have loved me today!!!!

Joshy...missed you. When I saw that Venus was so close to the moon tonight I wondered if you were seeing it too....

Heaven in my mouth....Hell on my other parts...

Can't decide if we should hang and torture the inventor or declare an official holiday for them....

Just seeing the package makes my mouth water and knees sink.

Spent the day getting the paperwork for Sam done so he can try out at Timpanogos for baseball...his playing Varsity Golf for PG kind of messed things up...it declared his eligiblity at PG...Sooo...we're having to do the "PACKET" and plea to have his eligibilty changed to Timpanogos. It was nice to have the pG coaches make a little fuss. Must admit, having all the others graduate from PG makes me feel like a traitor.

GrandDad's Angel Guardians

Just in case ANYONE is wondering....GrandDad is alone the next 2 weeks with Olive on a trip to Florida. No, he is still not talking to me. So, if you call, and he hangs up...he thinks its me. I may not EVER be forgiven. I wonder how I will feel when my time comes??? I totally believe in karma...may my best intentions ONE day be viewed as love in his eyes....and if and when MY day comes, may I view the efforts of others in love.

Farmer Ray, who has cows across the road in his barn, has promised to keep watch. God seems to know WHERE to put people. I'm so grateful Ray is there. If the garage door doesn't open he goes and checks. Speaking of karma....this guy has ALOT of CARING &SWEETNESS heading his way. Wish I had my pictures of him to post...lost them all with the hard drive death. Will store them all on the internet from now on.

Josh's letter 23 Feb 2009

Hey fam!

so i dont have much time this week so i am just going to write as fast as i can to get more in, you will have to excuse typo stuff. Arusha is preety sweet, it is definitely a tourist town, i have seen more white people in an hour here than i saw my whole time in rongai, which is kinda nice because the kids dont run up and bother me here, they stare and say hello, but they are not hanging on me like they were in Rongai. My companion is Elder Katjotjo (pretend the t's are silent and you can almost pronounce his name right) he is really cool, much more quiet than my last companions but not in a bad way, i am actually excited about it. there are about 30 members here and it is growing fairly fast, we have a lot of investigators, but i guess not to many are progressing, ill learn more about that as i am here longer. i came here by bus, it took like five hours. there has been no running water in the apartment since i have been here, and we have been getting our water from a tap about a quarter mile from the house (thats the part in the title about the drought) but its not so bad and we should have the water back by tomorow. elder katjotjo loves to just sit and discuss the scripturesat night, which has been awesome (the part about the feast). anyways i have to go, i love you all, i promise my message next week will be longer!

Love,
Elder Harris

Hey Lovey!!! I'm excited to hear how the trip to Tanzania went and how it is different from Kenya. How did you get there? Did you fly or take a bus? Do we still send your packages to the mission home? Tell us about your new companion. Is Mt. Kilimanjaro as impressive as our TIMP? :) Take pictures of your new apartment and the area.
Alana called from Geneva and told me she and Anthony were there in Arusha in October!!! They went on a 7 day safari and took just under 5,ooo photos ---it was their FAVORITE vacation ever and they hope to go back. It made me happy to hear it.

Listen, my hard drive totally failed and I lost ALL of the pictures you sent so DO NOT DELETE THEM...I sent you your card back in a package. Do you need me to send you a new one now?

Larry Miller of the Jazz died this week...we will miss seeing him and hearing of all of his philanthropy.

Why do I LOVE Primary? Let me count the ways...Sabrina needing YOU to see her 5th tooth lost because it will be all grown in when you come back. I told them a few weeks ago I was going to keep my camera on me and needed them to remind me to take pictures so YOU could see what was going on. Thank heavens I had my camera in my bag today....

The snow has mostly melted, and when it does storm it is mostly slush....hope I'm not speaking too soon. Have you hit the rainy season yet?
Jeanne Gardner asked me to send her love and we traded missionary stories. Kiev is quite the place as well!!! I'm so grateful that you're a good writer. It comforts me.

I have been wondering this week if I told you how BRILLANT you are enough growing up. And I mean BRILLANT in the way that you could DO ANYTHING and BE ANYTHING and FIGURE OUT anything that you need to....I was thinking how careful I have tried to be not to let you know after your IQ testings at BYU....maybe I was TOO careful. I know you compare yourself to Megan and Michael and I am glad that you have 2 such different examples as to how equally smart people can function and contribute so differently. And then YOU make a 3rd different way. It is astonishing to me that people from the same family can be so different and so similar at the same time. Jeremy and I were having a converstaion about how we had NO IDEA that we were smart people until we got into the work force. We both felt extremely inadequet compared to others our wholes lives---especially in school---well, we felt it in most areas. You know that I think that being smart is NOTHING in comparison to being KIND and WISE...but we both (Jeremy and I) thought it would have bid us well if someone had let us KNOW ahead of time. We were also talking about the VALUE of feeling like we have something we can give back for all that we have been given. I hope one of the blessings for you in this two years away from me is that you find your brillance, feel it, and embrace it. Don't worry about your weaknesses, just find and focus on your strengths in helping others. So, Honey...YOU ARE SO SMART!!!!! You know I mean this with all my heart.

Okay...now that we are to the HEART stuff....THANK YOU for your letter last week. Can you imagine life without a family? I CANNOT imagine my world without YOU in it....and having you so far away for so long is giving me a taste of something I could NOT bear. I feel such comfort in my knowing that our lives will be shared even after this life. How could anyone keep going when the loves of their lives leave this planet and they think that that is ALL??? God knew I would need the technology of today if I was ever to let any of you go farther than the front door! Your letter made me feel like the mistakes I made mothering must have been made up somehow. My greatest desire is that as you leave my arms, you know past doubting, that YOU are LOVED. YOU are my world. You make my world heaven on earth. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

I don't think I would have given up 2 years of my life at 19 to go help others find more happiness. I know I was too selfish. AND my testimony of Christ was not that founded. For these things alone I am so dang impressed with WHO you are. You came to us this way. You just came here already who you are and have done an amazing job at becoming EVEN more kind and generous and loving and helpful and diligent and SMART!!!!
I don't know how I got so lucky to get you....many philosophies say we PICKED those that we wanted to be with here...buddy...I would have picked you again and again and again. I can even see me bribeing you to come with me :) ---or knocking over women to claim you mine (you know its true!) I think I've probably been possessive through out the eternities... I LOVE YOU!!!! Can't wait to hear about the move and all the new changes. Just a few hours from now...maybe I'll get lucky and get to dream about you tonight.

MEGAN's Birthday--Happy 24th!!!!

Megan had Kylie and Jacob come for her dinner and Michael brought a friend he had been helping with some car stuff--Reed..and then the rest of us. I made all the BAJIO Flauta salad stuff. Marcy had the recipes since her brother owns a franchise and it was YUM!!!!

As you can see we gave her the choice of ONE of three envelopes. She couldn't have opened them in a more perfect order!!! The first one was a night watching DVD's with the family with our already owned DVD's...yep...made her laugh. The 2nd envelope was a camping trip to Boise to hunt with Dad and GrandDad Harris...inside joke...she went when she was 12 and there was no bathroom so she HELD it for 3 days and was in pain when she got home.Envelope number 3 was $ for a cruise she has been ranting about for awhile but not comitting to since she is currently jobless....so a pretty happy girl. Josh...Spencer says the pic where he is hiding his face is just for you. Sam is not in the picture because he went to shave. Yes, he is a MANLY man now.
Megan is having her cake and ice cream at her condo in Provo with her "friends". We're okay, we don't have hurt feelings---we just wanted a corner of the cake anyway (costco chocolate with cream cheese filling and buttercream frosting) ---so we took it! The cake was darling---a Princess with a wand about to turn a Frog into a Prince. Megs...wherever that prince charming is, he's gonna be SO HAPPY when he finally finds you!!!!

THS Baseball Auction

This was only ONE of like 6 Tables!!! I was sucking air when I walked in to deliver my "baskets"!!!! It was SO FUN!!!! Rapiers, Kohlerts and Peterson's were kind enough to go with us. AND EVEN KINDER with all that they purchased. First was the silent auction....then the LIVE auction. I hadn't been with a LIVE auctioneer since I was a little girl and it was intriguing!!! Steve Berry our next street over neighbor was the auctioneer---he was hysterical. I never imagined that it would be so EMOTIONAL!!! I am SURE people ended up paying MORE for stuff than what they planned because he was so engaging. Some amazing deals were to be had. I'm eager to see how much they raised. And yes Josh, we felt like traders being there after FOUR of you have been PGHSer's. I was surprised to see how many friends we do have there though. I'm sad I didn't get more pictures of the Gym and of all of us at the table. Torgersen's were at the next table with the Sander's, Stone's-(Tracy is VERY pregnant and CUTE!!!!) and Myer's...so it WAS a party.

Lots of STUFF--Happy STUFF going on...

The Sandberg girls came to play with me again this afternoon...we made peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies...Myra must have seen them coming in because she came too and brought her friend from school over...it was ALOT of GIRLS for our house!!!! I couldn't catch a chicken for them so when Dad got home he braved the mud and yuck and then once he had it, they changed their mind and didn't want to hold it anymore :)

I'm doing a Primary Sharing time on helping our families to keep our homes in ORDER...I'm taking pictures of some of the kids rooms messy and then cleaned up and letting the other kids guess whose room is whose...this is Jens Petersons and he is DANG proud!!! Thought it might bring you a smile Josh!

This picture is Of Mike J (in the red) at the OPEN HOUSE of his new REHAB facility. This picture could never depict what this day meant to me....It may not look like much...but a little over a year ago Mike sat in my Office at Reality Executives---he was also doing real estate then, and we had a heart to heart on what we REALLY wanted to DO with our lives...I said I couldn't figure it out...I just wanted to make money loving people...and he said he wanted to open a REHAB center to give back....ANYWAY....Meant the world to me and truly inspired me to KEEP trying to figure out WHAT it is I want....MIke MADE HIS DREAM COME True...

The last picture is of the Shrugs I made for the girls who came to the PGHS Sweethearts dance last week not in dress code. For ALL of our sakes, I pray they will never be used...that no poor girl will have to be horrified in front of her date and told she can't go in with out one.... The PTA is keeping them in storage and bringing them out for all the dances. My heart is split on this one.

I had SUCH a LOVELY Day today...I got dressed to run in the sun and am STILL in my work out clothes without ever having worked out (10:34 pm)...I ended up making a gazillion calls for donations for the Baseball Banquet Fundraiser tomorrow night and ended up with over $1,000 in donations. We place the items in "baskets" to be auctioned off at a silent auction as well as a LIVE auction. My absolute BIG SCORE was TWO half day snowmobile rentals at Daniel's Summitt...I just wish I would win the auction on them!!!! I've put a $45 Carrabas gift certificate with it. Anyway...that's all the stuff on the couch. Doesn't look like much, but most of them are in gift certificates. SOOOoooo...going around being Santa, getting a BUZZ everytime someone said they'd LOVE to donate, putting them all together---and then having the "GIRLFRIENDS" come to PLAY ...such a nice, nice, nice, nice day.

Missing you Josh. Michael came home for a minute today to get the Trifle bowl and brownie mixes for some dessert he's making with a date tonight. Sam is out with the Orem boys. Spencer is with Stephen seeing some movie called TAKEN. Megan and Kylie are sitting her stalking men on facebook. Dad is heading to bed.

ohhhhhh...the more she writes the more I LOVE her...I admit that everything from hiding Little Debbie's in the closet to the books just appearing makes my soul kindred with hers...we obviously have some of the same issues. BUT, like Anne Tyler, she makes the dysfunction adorable and magical and LIKABLE---yet you don't even try to make it REAL. If you didn't read her first book GARDEN SPELLS...you SO owe me lunch for referring you to the lovely hours ahead. Can't wait to see what is next.
And her book covers....that's the reason I even picked up Garden Spells in the first place...and this one did NOT disappoint.
Think I'm going to read Deepak Chopra's the PATH TO LOVE next...anyone with me? Or any other suggestions?

Just a side note. I have this ADORABLE new client--Holly, she is pregnant with a boy and due in May--her first!!! The excitement for his arrival can be FELT in the Sequoia even after she leaves me. Tonight after taking Sam to Mutual I just wanted to sit in there and be with the feelings. Somehow, the thought of never having life in my belly again can send me to a deep dark place, only to be lifted up at the thought that I have FIVE children who will let me live through theirs...PLEASE. Whoever you are, and whatever you are doing to get ready to come, I am WAITING!!!!!! OHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh the love ahead!

ANOTHER SPARKLE FOR THE MIND

Okay...I JUST LOVED this!!!! Boy did it make me THINK...I am STILL thinking...if anyone has read it or ends up reading it...CALL ME...another one I'd love to talk over with someone.

Josh's letter 16 Feb 2009

Hey Family!

I love you all sooooooooo much. Dad, great talk, i have noticed that i love any talk on love, obedience, or humility, dont know why those are my favorites, but they are. and to let you know, yes, i did perform Larrys baptism. oh, and if you could include any questions you want answered on moms blog that would be a big help cause i cant really switch between the email i am writing and the emails you send, but i can switch to moms blog. about zone conference, i have no idea when the next one will be. i thought it would be the 25, but i found out saturday that i am being transfered. i am going to Arusha, which is in Tanzania, it opened just recently so the branch is still small, but i am very excited to go there. Mom, could you ask Ben what areas he served in? just so i can know for if i ever go to the same place, but i know he wasnt in arusha cause it wasnt open until after he came home. As far as Tyler Jacobs is concerned, i guess Spain, he was always way better at spanish than i was and he just strikes me as somebody that would go to europe (although i thought Greg would go to Europe too and he ended up in a way more awesome mission so i could be wrong), let me know where he ends up going, and when should Chad Jacobs get his call? also how is Brandon Basset? i dont know why but i have been thinking of him a lot this week, so if you could somehow get me his e-mail or something that would be great. Tell Sam that if he doesnt fill me in on this girl i will beat him silly while we are still at the airport when i get home, right after i give him a big hug and tell him how much i love him and miss him. Sorry to hear about your computer, i would suggest putting a password on it so that nobody can touch it without you knowing, most stuff like that happens because of viruses and things that come in through wierd websites, sorry to hear it though. I did take pics of Larrys baptism but i wasnt able to get the usb cord this week because of transfers, but i will get one when i am in Arusha and i will send the memory card as well so you can have all the pics from lately. So enough for questions, this week was preety good. Everything started to pick up this week, we had more lessons, return apointments, and all that jazz since i have been here. then saturday afternoon i was telling elder Baloyi that it all just seemed too good to be true, then that night we got transfer news. But i am happy that i am leaving the area better than i found it, one new member, progressing investigators, and many people coming to church again when they were considered less active when i first got here. Id like to say that Rongai is every bit as tough as everyone says, but since it was my first area, i still dont really know yet. But in the spirit of dads talk, i would just like to share the times i have felt the most love from God in my life. the time that stands out most to me was when i was driving with mom to a real estate thing the week before i left. She told me that she loved me, and that if i ever wanted to come home, she would be waiting for me with open arms. the next time was my second week here in Rongai, i was studdying about "the arms of safety" promised to us if we will keep the camandments (i had read the talk from the conference edition of the ensign about the arms of safety and then afterwards looked up all the scriptures). and while i was studying that same scene of mom telling me she would be waiting with open arms came into my mind, and as i thought about that more i thought about Christ, and how i am sure that he said something similar to all of us in the pre-existance, and is now waiting, and hoping for all of us to come home to him, so he can wrap us in his arms and tell us how much he missed us. The next memory that comes to mind happened at the Otterstroms, i was walking out the door with Greg when Dianna mom told Greg she loved him and he said i love you too, Dianna mom then told me that she loved me, i also replied "i love you too." I dont know if that was the first time she had said it to me (i doubt it was) but it was definitely the first time i really heard it, and knew that she meant it. The other memories of feeling Gods love in my life that stick out most involve reading letters that mom wrote to me (pre-mission letters such as ones that i would get at youth confrences on on my birthdays and such). There are many other times i am sure, but these are the ones that stuck out to me as i read Dads talk. it also helped to remind me of my patriarchal blessing where it says that i am like the stripling warriors, but the more i think about it, the less i think it has to do with me, and the more it has to do with having a loving mother (two of them for those of us that count Dianna as my second mother) who has raised me in the gospel and taught me to obey the lord with exactness. I love you all! Have a wonderfull week, i will tell you about Arusha next week. Love You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Harris

The BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH

Well Lovey...any pictures of the week are at Computer Lane with my computer being blessed and prayed over and hopefully reincarnated with their GURU's....I about DIED when I woke up to the blue screen of death on Friday. I have NO IDEA what caused the crash...but the guys said it wasn't very probable that I would be able to SAVE ANYTHING...so DON'T ERASE YOUR SD CARD....cause I might not have ANY of your pictures that you sent now. ARGGGGHHHH!!!

I thought I'd attach some pictures from Dad's files...but I didn't think you'd be too interested in reliving our Cancun trip:) Not much is new here. I've worked ALOT this week and that's good news. No contracts, but the hope of a few out there. ANd I LOVE all of my new clients.

Dad was gone most of the week along with Spencer, and Spencer is still gone....so me and Sam just did the baseball practice thing. SURVIVOR started and we missed you...although I imagine you are having your own kind of SURVIVOR. I read a few books all of which I DEVOURED and LOVED. All of them are about trying to live in a Higher Consciousness. I had some amazing runs and boycotted the Gym...just couldn't make myself go...the willows are starting to green and people are writing on Faceook about starting their garden plants and I have a BAD case of Spring Fever!!! Some of the snow melted after a both storms,...but we really won't be thinking planting until April if I'm lucky.

I guess Dad wrote you a long letter. I'm sad I don't have more to share. Spencer is having a grand time...I hope it doesn't make it worse for him when he gets back. Sam gave his first official girl Valentine and was adorable about it...you'll have to ask him for details for I am sworn to secrecy upon the threat of future non disclosure and I'm not willing to risk it. Let me just say that ALL you Harris boys have a true eye for Beauty.

Tyler Jacobs should get his call on Wednesday and his mom wonders WHERE you think he might go...she would love to surprise him with your guess on the "board" before Wednedsay....
I guessed AFrica...mostly because I want to know that someone I KNOW who is SO GOOD is with you on the same continenent. Chads mom sent me the letter I forwarded. If you DIDN'T get it let me know...she promised to put you on the list and you should be recieving it weekly now.

Some poor soul tried to break into the Adair's during the day the other day when I was home alone. JB was home alone as well. The guy was so startled that he darted INTO the house once he broke in the door and JB chased him around, but he got away. He gave a great description to the police. But now, I think I want a security system.

McKAy Sanders and Myra and Mylana Peterson are now visitng me a few days a week....Myra informed me that I need to go to the grocery store more and get her better treats "Cause we don't have TIME to make cookies with you EVERY TIME WE COME...." I also got reprimanded for taking some of the GIRL toys downstairs. I LOVE IT.

Michael had a few dates last week but NONE on V-DAY....the whole apt stayed in and played Halo and watched movies. He came for dinner tonight and promised to write. Megan is still job hunting and right now she is here with Brad, Braiden and Andrew playing Phase 10 with Sam.
You should be awake right now. I wish I could catch you sometime when you are sending the message.

Let me just say AGAIN AND AGAIN...you are LIGHT and LOVE and GOODNESS and MY FAVORITE MISSIONARY...and I just think about you and pray for you OFTEN. I LOVE YOU. Did I tell you that I LOVE YOU? Yep..gotta a momma kind of LOVE thing going on here.....
I pray for your comp too..,.that he will be NICE and TRULY APPRECIATE his time with you :)
Happy Belated V-day lovey.....
MOM
XXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

LUCKY!!!!!!! Spencer's on his way...

Just dropped Spencer off at the airport...on his way to Phoenix to GOLF with his friend Joe who now lives there half year (SO HE CAN GOLF...) That was one happy boy. It's his birthday and everything else present for this year...it was so worth the smile on his face...
And you know what's good too? This is such a GOOD boy that I don't worry...and he's big enough to really take care of himself...so it was nice to be able to let him go and not feel all knotted up inside! Now lets just hope I can hold this feeling until Tuesday!!!!

Primary Activity Day

The kids loved it. Sharon Sandberg is our "specialist" so she planned and executed the whole thing so all we had to do was show up with 3 dozen cookies and lead a group. She had 3 groups (primary colors...red, yellow, blue) We went through a time machine the scouts made for us and visited Samuel the Lamanite (watched a short video clip in there as well), Ammom--he gave each a plastic knife with their name on it, had them write or draw on a apiece of paper what weakness they wanted to get rid of on a peice of paper and then at the end had the kids stick their plastic "swords" in a big pot with dirt in it. Moroni talked to them about being the last Nephite on the earth and trying to finish the record. Nephi had them do a RELAY where they had to run to the Wilderness, run back to Jerusalem to pick up the gold plates (gold card board replicas) then back to the wilderness then back to Jerusalem for a picture of Ishmael's family with the GIRLS colored...and then back to the wilderness and on to the Promised Land where they had coloring packets to color for extra scripture reading points for this month and cookies!!!! The whole thing took less than an hour and EVERYONE was thrilled.

Yummy Read

I have always been drawn to near death experience books for the HOPE with which they just fill my soul. I LIKE the way they portray Jesus in them. ANYWAY.... SOOooo last week on my little Barnes and Noble outing I was looking to see if anything new had come out...and instead I got that electric feeling when I passed by THIS book... George Anderson considers himself a MEDIUM. These are the lessons he has learned from being the medium for so many who have lost their loved ones. What a gift!!! Imagine the judgment he has endured to share it. Another slurper upper...quick read...and get your underlining pencil ready!!! This would incite some pretty astonishing conversation at a book group....and we all know how much I truly love GOOD conversation.

Don left for Canada today, and my client work is mostly on the computer this week...so I may get to slurp down a few more!!! YEEE HAWwW!

Note from Josh later in the day... 9 FEB 2009

Hey,

so we got back from town early and knew that you would want to hear that i got a package, not the valentines one, but the one that you put peanut butter and the gym shorts and stuff in. Just so you know there is peanut butter and jelly at the grocery store, different brands of course, but there is no need to be sending stuff like that. but i love you for thinking about what i might be wanting here. The m&ms were a good idea though, they supposedly have them but i have never seen them. Also, i keep forgetting to tell you that they memory card you sent me with videos on it doesnt work on my camera. Micheal was right when he said that it should, but whatever camera you used has more megapixles than my camera has so it cant process the videos. Also mom, i couldn't read your talk because the file that was sent was the 2007 version of microsoft word and the computers here have the 2003 version so its not compatible. I am getting a USB cord from a guy in the branch here so that next week i can see the movies on the comp, but for future reference record the videos with 6 megapixles or less (you should be able to adjust the amount of megapixles you camera is using under picture quality in the tool bar). I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your favorite person ever,
Josh

Josh's letter 9 FEB 2009

Happy Valentines everyone!

i didnt even realize valentines day was this week until i was reading your e-mails. I am going to the office today because we need to pick up more pamphlets and books of mormon, so maybe the valentines package will be there, i will let you know next week. Meg, I love you, and my only advice to you is to pray, i know you have probably heard that a lot lately and have been doing it, but i know that it never hurts to pray more and that prayer works. I knew it was only a matter of time before mike did the facial hair deal again, i cant blame him, shaving is the worst part of every day. dad, i am glad things are going well with your new job and i hope that this court deally in montreal goes well (that was for myfamily.com though right?) Spencer, i hope the act went well, i hate that stupid test, i wish they would have just looked at my grades and not the test scores at all, it would have helped me a lot. Sam, how is everything? have you made the timp baseball team yet (pg is still better no matter what you say). Mom, I LOVE YOU! i hope you have a great valentines day and make sure you get extra hugs from somebody and count them as if they were from me.
The baptism went well. It took two and a half hours to fill the font, but other than that it went well and then he was confirmed yesterday so everything is in order. my favorite part of the baptism was Larry bearing his testimony. he said "i didnt understand why my brother would give up two years of his life for some church until i came. from the first sunday i was at this church i knew that it was a place where i will always be loved unconditionally." In the end, i am just happy for him, happy that he has found a place where he can feel loved, happy that he has a better understanding of the lords unconditional love for us, and happy that he acted on his knowledge. i know he will be blest for that.
anyways, i have to go so that i can make it to town and back, i love you all, each of you kiss someone for me since i cant (including sam, just dont let dad know ;)

Love,
Elder Harris

SUnday Pictures

Just another Sunday afternoon...Salas' are in town from Argentina and came for dinner. Found out their daughter Gabriella stills remembers you from our trip there when you were 11 Josh and still thinks of you as HER missionary :) She is living in California with a family friend working on her English. Pretty sure Elida has a 60 minute rule like mine....so doubtful her dreams could come true. Salas' are as fun and lovely as ever.We had a great visit. My Spanish skills are still as impressive as ever Bud!!!
If you click on the next picture twice you can see Michael's latest facial hair "STYLE".
I thought you might like to see how darling our Primary was today...LOOK at those Sunbeams...this is only their 5th week in Opening Exercises and I kept taking their picture every 10 minutes and they stayed PERFECT...Julianna says she loves you and prays for you.
My overalls are still my favorite.
And then HERESSSSS.....LANDON...he gave a great talk with sweet stories.
And last but not least....hard up for pictures...thought you'd want to see that PURR PUSS is still
reigning king of the front bench. My real letter is still below so make sure to read the next entry....LOVE YA BIG...hoping you get our Valentine's package before Saturday!!!

Friday Dad only worked half day and whisked me away for an early VALENTINES weekend celebration. He took me to La Dulce Vida...and yes I slurped up the Tortellini Alla Panna....then we went to visit Michael at his new job at the jewelry store in the Mall (which by the way he is LOVING, and because of Valentines has already met his quota in 2 days worth of work!!!!). He looked so handsome in his suit...he's growing the facial hair thing again. The manager said he'd never hired anyone with so many friends before...hopefully that is better for business than NOT.
After that Dad took me to Paul's condo where he had so many of my FAVORITES...YES...CHOCOLATE covered strawberries from Kneaders....ummmm. He got a few videos. He went in to blockbuster and said "My wife loves romantic movies, what do you suggest?" I guess this girl got teary eyed and said I have just the one. She gets him this video called FIREPROOF that seriously had the worst acting I have EVER seen in a movie...it was as bad as a few of the High School plays we have endured. ANYWAY...it was a Christian produced deal about a couple in marital trouble...you know how I like to hear and know how other religions look at things, so that kept me in there to the end.
By 10:30 I started worrying about Spencer getting off to the ACT ok the next morning and DAD DID TOO...so we just packed up and came home. But it was nice and I appreciate all the work your Dad went to in planning it.
Megan moved back home on Friday so when we got here the house was full of her friends---BRAIDEN got excepted to Stanford and that's were he'll go for Law School. Pretty BIG deal.
Landon Edgington came home this week and his talk is this morning.
Dad's friend's from Argentina---the Salas" are in town and will be here for dinner tonight. Tuesday Dad leaves for Canada and Thursday SPencer leaves for Pheonix for a GOLF outing for his birthday.I have 4 new clients and am THRILLED...but it will make for a crazy busy week.
I had hoped that you'd get your Valentine's package BEFORE Valentine's Day.... when is your next zone conference? I got in touch with Chad's mom and she will be sending Chad's e-mail's directly to you. If you DON'T get them...let me know.
It rained and melted alot of the snow...just seeing even the dead green makes me itch for Spring. WHen will you start the rainy season?
GrandMom Harris/Ground had back surgery this week to try to take care of the pain she has been having in her leg...it went well and she is pleased.
Not alot happend this week...pretty much just the same ole same ole...basketball games, school, work, (Okay LONE PEAK beat PG in the last 2 minutes---boys were SAD)....
We thought alot about you yesterday with Larry's baptism hoping all went as you would hope.
Molly Johnson called me this week...I LOVED having her on the other end when I picked up. You won't believe how BIG she is and SMART. She NEEDED to know how to spell all the names of everyone in our family and wanted to know if I could come to her house to play...or if I wanted she could come to my house and sleep over "some" nights. I wish they still lived here.
I have been having the sweetest time on Facebook reconnecting with so many friends!!! This week several did these lists of "25 things about me"...these people are so amazing and INTERESTING. I've been tagged to do it several times...but I'm not 25 things INTERESTING...dysfunctional, yes....okay...maybe dysfunctional WOULD be interesting....
I love your letters. I LOVE MONDAY'S because I get your letters!!!! I am making goals based on your coming home...by OCTOBER 2010 a person can plan to DO aLOT!!!!! I am wondering if you still have the crazy urge to just RUN a marathon....???I was thinking the whole family could maybe train for the Disney World marathon (it has a half as well) and have that be our Christmas 2010...?? If I keep eating like I am they would have to ROLL me the 26 miles.
GrandDad is still the same...Olive is a Saint and I talk to her twice a week to get the update. I am settled in my heart ONLY in the fact that he even though he isn't really happy now or THERE...there is NO OTHER place that he would feel as good about. Keep him in your prayers.
I LOVE YOU...REMEMBER THAT ON SATURDAY when I am NOT THERE to shower you with hugs and kisses.
Josh---you came here so filled with love. Even with your reserved nature you have never held back your kindess and caring or affection. I LOVE YOU for so many reasons, but the biggest is just for WHO YOU ARE and for the sweet balance you have brought into our family. I MISS YOU!!!! I miss scratching your back...never fear...I still can't sit down without Spencer taking his shirt off and practically sitting in my lap (ok...yes, I know, I LIKE IT---it ALWAYS makes me think of you!!!) I'll be sending a back scratch via the energy waves to you on Saturday...along with all the love in my heart. YOU make my heart and soul SING!!!!! Spread your love...
MOM XXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOX

Life Learning

A friend reminded me of this book yesterday and I AGAIN slurped it up...this second slurping felt like it was TIME now...the season to embrace it. I hope if you haven't read it that it will speak to you some day the way it has to me. I love that so many have paid the price ahead of me to be still and listen and to be ahead of me.

Josh's letter 2 FEB 2009

Hey Fam!

this week was good and bad. the good part was the exchanges, Elder Lemma came here for wednesday and thursday and it was fun to work with him. he is very quiet and even newer on mission than i am so it was a bit interesting, but it was fun everything worked out well in the end. the bad part was that on friday when i went to langatta to switch back the power was out everywhere and the water heaters here are all electric and my comp refused to take a cold shower (because the shower in langatta is actually very nice when there is hot water) and so he didnt get ready until about 5 and then by the time we got back to rongai it was dark so we had to just go home. then saturday we went to the doctor because elder baloyi has been having sinus problems since he got to rongai due to the amount of dust. so friday and staurday werent exactly my favorite, but the rest of the week went well. Larry asked if i would be the one to baptize him since i have been there since the first time he met missionarys, i am very excited for him and for this saturday when that will happen. Just so you know, i do see the pics on the blog, or most of them at least, some of them dont load for whatever reason but generally they will load the next week, so within two weeks i see all of them. i am glad you all had a good super bowl sunday, and i am jealous of the empenadas, its definitely been a while since i have had those. mom, thanks for keeping the blog so well updated, it really makes it easy to know whats going on back home. Meg, sorry about the lay-off. i am sure something or someone much better will come along as a result, we just have to remember that god has a plan for all of us, and apparently that job wasnt his plan for you. anyways, i have to go, we came late today and need to get to the apointments, but i love you all, and i mis you all very much.
Love,
Elder Harris

P.S. spencer, hot 70's clothes, i wish we could wear that out tracting, let me know if you want any more zebra print stuff.

SUPER BOWL Sunday

Lovey....just thinking ABOUT you!!!! Jake is here eating and watching until his momma's ribs are done. He says hello...he has 50 some days till he's out of here. Sam left to go watch the game at Brady P.s and Spencer has part of his crew here. Megan and Braiden and gang just got here as well.Michael and 2 roomies are arriving before half time.
I made 96 empanadas and now smell like fried OIL...will have to boil vinegar before bed. We LOVE YOU!!!! I'll post the score after the game is over. I'm rooting for Arizona because they are the underdogs.
I hope you can see the pictures on here...
UGH...it's over and WHAT a game!!! The Arizona Cardinals were down 20 to 7, with about 7 minutes left, then came back to go ahead 23 to 20, with 2:30 left. Then Pittsburgh scored a spectacular TD with an incredible catch in the corner of the end zone, with 39 seconds left in the game, and went ahead 27 to 23, which was the final score. Very exciting 4th quarter and lots of great plays throughout the game. It was a great Super Bowl, but we really wanted the Cardinals to win, except Sam, who has been cheering for the Steelers all season.